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AAR: Hat Creek, CA, July 22-23 2017, Sea Cadets Program

Started by 700x32, July 26, 2017, 04:03:26 AM

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700x32

On July 22nd, 2017, my favorite shooting range in all of Northern California, Hat Creek Rifle and Pistol Club, saw 18 Naval Sea Cadets aged 14-17 set up camp for their annual marksmanship training program. Joining them were five Project Appleseed instructors as well as their Sea Cadet leadership crew. Saturday morning was spent registering Cadets for their weeklong training camp at Hat Creek, and after lunch we got started with instruction.

Many of the Sea Cadets had never touched a firearm before, so they were in for a challenge! Hat Creek was sunny and hot, peaking at over 100F later in the afternoon, but the Sea Cadets came equipped with canteens and a habit of frequent refilling, so nobody ended up particularly dehydrated. We spent Saturday afternoon practicing shooting squares from the prone position, which caused many cadets' groups to shrink and creep closer to the centers of their targets.

The Sea Cadets started really engaging with the material at dinnertime when the stories of the battles at Lexington and Concord captured their attention. The instructors brought the stories to life and allowed the Cadets to really relate to the colonists in their struggle leading up to, during, and beyond April 19th, 1775.

After dinner we worked on the seated and standing positions. Seated in particular seems to be the most challenging position for many Appleseed students, and so it was for the Sea Cadets. With an exceptionally long day and way too much information weighing down the Cadets' minds, they had no trouble falling asleep Saturday night.

Sunday morning saw the inhabitants of Camp Hat Creek up early for another full day of rifle instruction. There was a distinct change in the attitudes of the Sea Cadets this morning- they seemed to more easily engage in their instruction, and answer and even ask questions. Could it be that their nerves calmed overnight, or yesterday's instruction digested somewhat, or the Appleseed instructors got prettier overnight? We may never know. In any case, Saturday was fun, but Sunday was even more exciting for the instructors at least because the Cadets seemed to be having a better time.

As we reviewed steady hold factors, 6 steps, IMC, NPOA, and many of the nuances of each, the Sea Cadets started looking like real Riflemen. Their form improved, their groups shrank, and instructors were forced to take a closer look at each shooter to identify his or her next area of improvement.

Then we threw a wrench in the Cadets' momentum- transitions! Suddenly they found themselves needing to find their positions and let fly several well-aimed rounds in a much shorter period of time. Of course, they adapted well, and after a few rounds once again looked like a coordinated unit dropping to their mats on "Fire!"

Over lunch, the Cadets were regaled with stories of Merriam's Corner and the Third Strike, Hezekiah Wyman, Sam Whittemore, David Lamson, Ruth Batherick, Martha Moulton, and Prudence Wright.

As the afternoon wore on, the compounded sources of stress began to wear on the Cadets. Some of them were brand new shooters who had been issued malfunctioning rifles, and they were all expected to keep up with the fast pace of instruction typical to a Sunday Appleseed. It's no easy task for anyone, let alone an inexperienced teenager. What impressed me most about these Sea Cadets was that despite this, not one of them quit. The Sea Cadets fought through heat, discomfort, frustration, tears, and unrealistic expectations to complete every course of fire, showing a level of maturity not displayed by many at their age.

Sunday afternoon saw the Sea Cadets shoot two AQTs. The pressure of the perceived test and the stress of the tight time limits on transition stages meant that despite some excellent groups earlier in the day, nobody was able to qualify as a Rifleman. However, several Cadets did qualify as a Marksman or Sharpshooter:

Marksman qualified:
Hess: 131
Waddell: 145
Pastor: 151, 149

Sharpshooter qualified:
Pratt: 174
Ruzich: 130, 186

The Sea Cadets were then told the story of Luther Blanchard and the importance of his job as a fifer to prepare for the final Redcoat target of the weekend.

We shot our regular series of Redcoat targets, one at the beginning and end of each day. Of our 18 shooters, the first Redcoat on Saturday morning saw 2 Morgan's Riflemen, as well as 10 shooters qualifying at at least 100 yards, including one at 200 yards. This course of fire saw a steady improvement overall through the last Redcoat on Sunday afternoon, which saw 3 Morgan's Riflemen and 12 shooters qualifying at at least 100 yards, including five at at least 200 yards and two at 300 yards!

The Appleseed instructors were sad to leave the beautiful range and eager Sea Cadets after 2 days, but it was just the beginning of a weeklong training program for the Sea Cadets.

Thanks to our excellent instructors for their unique skills and expertise this weekend. And thank you to the Sea Cadets organization for allowing us to work with your students. We look forward to working with the Sea Cadets again next year.

Instructors in attendance:
Laurie (NorCal22Gal)
Andy (700x32)
Matt (just.a.guy)
Joe (eaglescouter)
Lauri (Rifles-n-Reeds)

Please add your own comments and feedback and photos to this thread!
(My own photos are on the way)

Ducky

Very nice AAR, Andy--sounds like it was an awesome event. We're looking forward to seeing your photos!
Freedom, in a political context, means freedom from government coercion. It does not mean freedom from the landlord, or freedom from the employer, or freedom from the laws of nature which do not provide men with automatic prosperity. It means freedom from the coercive power of the state, and nothing else.--Ayn Rand

NorCal22Gal

It was a great event.  the youth were awesome.  I wish I had gotten a video of the transitions, they all went down into seated at almost the same time...almost military precision.  ^:)^


22CaliBear

Sounds like an intense weekend (is AS ever intense?  :P), but a lot of fun too.  Great pix.  Nice to see the Cadets so focused.

NorCal22Gal

They were, Marta.  I'm sorry I forgot to include you on the list for help.  :( 

I may need some help in Sept with some Young Marines in Sacramento.

Ducky

Nice pictures, Andy--that format works well for viewing off the forum.  Thanks for posting!

Freedom, in a political context, means freedom from government coercion. It does not mean freedom from the landlord, or freedom from the employer, or freedom from the laws of nature which do not provide men with automatic prosperity. It means freedom from the coercive power of the state, and nothing else.--Ayn Rand